I was an advocate of barn door electronics for many years because I liked having control at the guitar. But then the rattles, the weight, the occasional repairs and new technology led me to what I consider to be cleaner controls.
The volume cords now available let me adjust the volume at the guitar and the mini-tuners are unobtrusive. If the guitar is truly balanced eq control at the guitar is not really needed; and if eq control is needed that can be done at the amp. I've come to prefer an unencumbered instrument.